Manchester City will step up their search for a high-class central defender because of the likely absence of Matija Nastasic for the start of the season, with Real Madrid's Pepe at the top of their wish list.

The City manager, Manuel Pellegrini, faces being without Nastasic for the opening game at home to Newcastle United on 19 August. An MRI scan on Monday is expected to show he will be out for three weeks after sustaining an ankle injury in the 1-0 Asia Trophy final win over Sunderland.

The absence of the centre-half, who enjoyed an impressive first season, and Kolo Touré's move to Liverpool will give Joleon Lescott the chance to re-establish himself as Vincent Kompany's regular central defensive partner. Pellegrini, however, was already keen to bring in another established player in that position and, asked if it was particularly important to acquire one now, said: "It doesn't depend on just one thing.

"I said [before] that we could do something else before the Premier League starts but maybe we stay with the same squad. At the moment we aren't that concerned about that but I'm very happy with the squad we have."

The manager is known to be an admirer of Pepe, although Madrid warned off approaches for the Portugal international earlier this month. Any such transfer would take City's summer spending beyond £100m, after the signings of Fernandinho, Jesús Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo.

Nastasic suffered the injury towards the end of the match at the Hong Kong Stadium and, although the surface had cut up badly because of the latest bout of torrential rain that plagued the tournament, City are not blaming the conditions, believing it to be an impact injury. We are concerned but I think it's better to wait," said Pellegrini.

"He got a kick on his ankle. We will talk with the doctor. I don't think it was the pitch. It was part of the game and could have happened on any pitch."

City's new midfielder Fernandinho, meanwhile, rejected the suggestion that his £27m transfer fee placed extra pressure on him to perform. "The expectations are high for everyone, not just for me," the 28-year-old Brazilian said. "I am not worried by that. The Premier League is a very strong competition.

"It is very tough. I want to train and practise as much as possible. I get to train well and get appearances in the first level. I want to have a balanced season, always showing the same level."

He believes City must focus on the beginning of the campaign. "It is important to start strong," he added. "There is no point thinking about [Manchester] United. We have to think about ourselves.

"We are speaking about the Premier League now but it is important not to forget the Champions League. It is important before the Champions League starts in mid-September to get as many points as possible. Then it is Saturday-midweek. Both competitions are important because expectations are really high this season."